Required Readings

Lee, C., & Schulenberg, J. L. (2010). The impact of race and youth cohort size: An analysis of juvenile drug possession arrest rates. Journal of Drug Issues, 40(3), 653–679.

Rhineberger-Dunn, G., & Carlson, S. M. (2011). An analysis of the mediating effects of social relations and controls on neighborhood crime victimization. Western Criminology Review, 12(1), 15–34.

Roh, S., & Choo, T. M. (2008). Looking inside zone V: Testing social disorganization theory in suburban areas. Western Criminology Review, 9(1), 1–16.

Simons, R. L., Simons, L. G., Burt, C. H., Brody, G. H., & Cutrona, C. (2005). Collective efficacy, authoritative parenting, and delinquency: A longitudinal test of a model integrating and family level processes. Criminology, 43(4), 989–1029.

Warner, B. (2003). The role of attenuated culture in social disorganization theory. Criminology, 41(1), 73–98.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014e). Sociological theories of criminal behavior II [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Dr. Charis Kubrin further discusses sociological theories of crime. Consider how these theories account for the causes of crime.

Note:  The approximate length of this media piece is 11 minutes.

Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Discussion: Sociological Theory of Crime

Sutherland, a world-renowned criminologist, believed that all criminal behavior is learned and that the learning is influenced by the association of persons who commit crimes (Bartol & Bartol, 2011). Other social theorists provide additional theories and clarify that the strength of the deviant behavior is based on the amount, frequency, and probability of the reinforcement of the behavior (Bartol & Bartol, 2011, p. 95). Nonetheless, as a helping professional, you will need to formulate your own personal beliefs about the sociological theory of crime.

For this Discussion, search the Internet and the Walden Library for a peer-reviewed journal article that closely relates to your beliefs and one that refutes your position about the sociological theory of crime.

By Day 5

Post a brief synopsis of the articles you found in your research and explain how these articles support and refute your personal beliefs about the sociological theory of crime. Use APA format and guidelines within your post to support your explanation.

Note: Put the sociological theory of crime you described in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who described a different theory.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources or your research.